In a major welfare push, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the ambitious Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, promising no family in Odisha will sleep hungry.
The scheme will provide an additional 5 kg of free rice per person every month to all National Food Security Act and state food security beneficiaries — effectively doubling their current entitlement to 10 kg free rice per head.
The landmark initiative will directly benefit 3.28 crore people across 1.96 crore families, covering 80% of Odisha’s population. The state government will spend ₹8,813 crore annually on the scheme.
Speaking at the grand 2nd anniversary celebration of his government at the IDCO Exhibition Ground, CM Majhi described the move as far more than a welfare programme. “This is not an expenditure for us — it is a holy social investment. We want smiles on the faces of the poor,” he said.
The Chief Minister underlined his government’s core commitment: “No family in Odisha will remain hungry, no child will suffer from malnutrition, and no elderly person will face food scarcity.” He dedicated the scheme as a special gift to the people on the completion of two years in office.
The programme aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, while working towards a Viksit Bharat and a self-reliant, prosperous Odisha.
Major Infrastructure Push in Bhubaneswar
Also, the Chief Minister today inaugurated and laid the foundations for three key urban projects:
- 6-lane elevated corridor from the Institute of Mathematics to Ekamra Kanan via Infocity (13+ km), built at ₹108.24 crore to ease traffic congestion.
- Foundation stone for the widening and flyover work on the Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan road (to be developed as an 8-lane), estimated at over ₹949 crore.
- Foundation for Janashraya Bhawan — a 20-storey building on Janpath that will provide affordable short-term accommodation for 2,000 people coming to the capital.
Empowerment Initiatives
- Smartphones were distributed to 72,224 Anganwadi Workers, 2,802 Lady Supervisors, and 338 Block Coordinators.
- Launch of Subhadra Shakti Samvad programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the twin initiatives of Subhadra and Annapurna would bring prosperity to every household. “Where Mother Subhadra and Mother Annapurna reside, progress is certain,” she remarked.
Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra called it an Antyodaya government that reaches the last person in society.
